Building Meaningful Professional Relationships on LinkedIn and Beyond

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Building Meaningful Relationships on LinkedIn and Beyond

In today’s fast-paced, digital-first world, LinkedIn has evolved beyond just a networking platform. It has become an essential tool for building lasting, meaningful relationships that extend far beyond the virtual space. Especially for underrepresented innovators and entrepreneurs, LinkedIn provides an incredible opportunity to connect with industry leaders, mentors, and peers who can support your journey in the patent process and entrepreneurial endeavors.

In our latest Patent Pathways® session, Harrity’s John Harrity & Elaine Spector join us to teach how you can leverage LinkedIn to build authentic, long-term relationships that matter.

1. Lead with Value, Not Self-Promotion
The first rule of building meaningful relationships is to provide value before asking for anything in return. Whether it’s sharing insightful content, offering advice, or commenting on someone’s post with thoughtful feedback, leading with value shows that you are genuinely interested in contributing to the conversation.

Start by identifying what you can offer to others, whether it’s knowledge from your field, feedback on a project, or even offering to make connections. Building relationships is not about instant results—it’s about laying a foundation of trust and reciprocity.

2. Personalize Your Connections
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to build relationships on LinkedIn is sending generic connection requests. Take a moment to write a personalized message that explains why you want to connect and how you admire the person’s work or accomplishments.

This small step can make a huge difference in standing out from the hundreds of other requests professionals receive. Show that you’ve done your homework and have a genuine interest in who they are and what they do. It’s the beginning of a relationship, so start strong with a personal touch.

3. Engage Consistently, Not Just When You Need Something
Building relationships isn’t a one-time effort. It requires consistent engagement and nurturing over time. Comment on posts, share insightful articles, and celebrate your connections’ successes. Regular interactions help you stay top-of-mind and show that you’re genuinely invested in the relationship.

Being visible through consistent engagement also allows people to get familiar with your personal brand and expertise. When the time comes that you need advice or assistance, it won’t feel like you’re only reaching out for a favor.

4. Offer Support to Build Trust
One of the most powerful ways to foster long-term relationships is by offering your support, especially to those navigating complex processes like patents. Offer to make introductions, share resources, or give feedback on an idea or project.

When people feel supported, they are more likely to trust you and be open to building a relationship. In the world of patents and entrepreneurship, having a network of people you trust can lead to invaluable opportunities, collaborations, and insights.

5. Take Relationships Offline
While LinkedIn is a fantastic platform for initial introductions, meaningful relationships often flourish when they extend beyond the virtual world. Don’t hesitate to suggest a coffee chat, video call, or meeting at a networking event. These real-world interactions can cement connections and make you more memorable.

Relationships are built on trust and shared experiences, which are more easily formed in person or during direct communication. Whether it’s through a Zoom call or an in-person event, take the initiative to deepen your relationships beyond LinkedIn.

6. Be Authentic
At the core of every meaningful relationship is authenticity. People appreciate realness. Don’t try to be someone you’re not or overinflate your accomplishments. Be open about your journey, challenges, and ambitions. The more genuine you are, the more likely people are to connect with you on a deeper level.

In the innovation and patent world, authenticity is key. Whether you’re an entrepreneur pitching a new idea or an inventor seeking guidance, showing your true self will attract the right kind of people who align with your values and vision.

7. Stay in Touch and Follow Up
Building a relationship is just the beginning—maintaining it is the challenge. Follow up periodically with connections you’ve made, and keep them updated on your journey. Whether it’s a quick message to check in, or sharing a relevant article, staying in touch ensures the relationship doesn’t fade.

If you’ve had a meaningful conversation or received valuable advice, take the time to follow up with a thank-you message. These small actions build goodwill and solidify your relationships for the long term.

Beyond LinkedIn: Taking Relationship Building to the Next Level
While LinkedIn is a powerful tool, it’s just one part of the relationship-building equation. Joining industry groups, attending conferences, and participating in mentorship programs are also great ways to expand your network and nurture meaningful connections.

For underrepresented inventors and entrepreneurs, Patent Pathways® offers an incredible community of support. We not only guide you through the patent process but also help you build relationships that can lead to funding, mentorship, and new opportunities.

Building meaningful relationships takes time and effort, but the rewards are priceless. By investing in your network, leading with value, and being authentic, you can create a community of support that will not only help you achieve your goals but also open doors you never thought possible.

Stay connected, stay curious, and always look for ways to build bridges that go beyond the digital world.

Watch the full webinar here:

Ready to Build Your Network?

Join us at Patent Pathways®, where we empower underrepresented innovators with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to navigate the patent process successfully. Let’s build meaningful relationships that lead to lasting innovation.

Get involved below!

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Diversity Dialogue Presents “Confidence Through Your Closet: Spreading Holiday Cheer & Being the Best You in the New Year”

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Diversity Dialogue Host Elaine Spector is joined by Wardrobe Stylist and Confidence Curator Melanie Lippman for this special holiday-themed networking event aimed at improving confidence among women attorneys through simple adjustments to daily routines.

During this session, Melanie will teach you what to wear, how to wear it, where to find it, when to save and when to splurge. By editing your wardrobe and identifying the pieces that make the most impact on your look with minimal reinvestment, you can have less frustration and more confidence.

With video calls consuming more of our every-day life interactions, Melanie will focus on statement pieces that fit into curating your professional persona online, what to wear to that virtual holiday party, the perfect gift guide, and how to “own your box” on a group video meeting.

WATCH NOW!

To see more Diversity Dialogue episodes and Driving Diversity tips, click here.

 

John Harrity, Discusses Upcoming Lawyers Have Heart, American Heart Association Fundraiser Event

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WashingtonExec’s Rachel Kirkland speaks with John Harrity about the Lawyers Have Heart 10K Race, 5K Run and Fun Walk coming up this weekend, June 11-13. The event is a fundraiser for the American Heart Association and brings back memories of John’s own harrowing experience. In this interview, John recounts the events leading up to his cardiac arrest and why Harrity & Harrity is now so committed to supporting AHA efforts. To participate, visit www.lawyershaveheartdc.org.

Watch the incredibly candid interview below:

To learn more about Harrity’s charity efforts, visit harrityllp.com/harrity4charity.

 

Harrity Thought-Leaders Provide Comments on USPTO’s National Strategy for Expanding American Innovation

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Harrity diversity thought-leaders Elaine Spector, Edward Kim, and Ayana Marshall provided comments in response to USPTO‘s National Strategy for Expanding American Innovation alongside other members of the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO)‘s Women in IP and Diversity & Inclusion committees.

“An important aspect for moving innovation with respect to under-represented groups is to understand the extent of the issue, and then track improvements with regard to innovation and commercialization.”
Read the full response below:

For more information regarding our diversity initiatives, visit harrityllp.com/diversity.  To see more diversity and inclusion resources, visit The Diversity Channel.

 

Diversity Dialogue | Strategies for Moving the Needle with Respect to Diversity of the Patent Bar

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The first Diversity Dialogue webinar in a series of diversity-focused discussions hosted by Harrity’s Elaine Spector features HP’s Shruti Costales and MCCA’s Sophia Piliouras as panelists and covers challenging topics associated with increasing diversity in the patent field.

Some of the questions covered during the panel discussion include:

  • What is one action step patent professionals can take today to improve diversity for the Patent Bar? 
  • What do you think is the greatest issue affecting diversity in general? 
    Is it appropriate to apply the Mansfield Rule to the patent bar?
  • What alternative strategies do you believe would be helpful for moving the needle in the patent bar?  
  • Why do you think women and other diverse groups are not pursuing degrees/careers in the field?  And more!

Watch the full webinar below:

 

For more information regarding our diversity initiatives, visit harrityllp.com/diversity.  To see more diversity and inclusion resources, visit The Diversity Channel.

 

Harrity’s Third Annual Women’s Workshop

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With COVID-19 sending everyone into lockdown, you may find yourself looking for something productive to do.  Now is a great time to learn something new.  Particularly since many events that would not typically be found online are now offering free virtual versions via live streaming and video conferencing.  The ability to get online provides access to innumerable resources to stay entertained and learn new skills.  It is the ideal time to reconnect with your goals and start achieving them.  For those interested in patent law, IP firm Harrity & Harrity, LLP is one of those resources.

Harrity’s Women’s Workshop

In response to the current climate, Harrity will host its third annual Women’s Workshop as an online program.  The workshop is a rare opportunity to learn basic patent preparation and prosecution skills, interact with some of the most prominent female patent lawyers in the industry, network with a diverse group of participants, meet with a writing coach, have live Q&A’s with practicing patent attorneys, access free career mentoring, and more.  The four-day program will take place May 18-21 and will be held live through online video conferencing.  It is entirely free and is available to engineers and law students or recent graduates with technical backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a future in intellectual property.  The program will allow participants to explore the lucrative opportunities provided by a career in patent law and learn what it takes to succeed, specifically as a female, in the patent field.

Why Attend the Program?

Obtaining a patent can be a complex process and requires several steps, including searching prior art, determining patentability, preparing and filing a patent application, and corresponding with the patent office through patent prosecution.  It can be a particular struggle to determine whether an invention is a new, non-obvious invention and how it differs from existing patented concepts when attempting to obtain a patent.

In Harrity’s Women’s Workshop, you will learn how to effectively draft and prosecute patent applications in order to get the patents allowed by the USPTO, an action that will officially patent an invention.  The skills to do so will be learned through a series of presentations, discussions, and practice assignments throughout the immersive program.

Speakers for the 2020 Women’s Workshop include female partners at top patent firms, the American Intellectual Property Law  Association’s (AIPLA) President Elect, IP Counsel for leading technology companies, the President of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s (MCCA) Advisory Practice, and the former acting director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  Each speaker will provide guidance on best practices in patent law and exclusive advice on how to succeed as a woman in this underrepresented industry.

For the first time, the 2020 Women’s Workshop will also include writing skills training by writing expert, Ed Good.  Ed is a globally recognized trainer in corporate writing skills with specific expertise in legal writing.  The program will also include resume and interview preparation and career mentoring for success in the patent field.

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will have a thorough understanding of what a career in patent law entails and have the tools required to pursue one.

Our Mission

At Harrity, We believe that the ‘practice of law’ is advanced by a more diverse legal team – with diversity of background, upbringing, education, and perspective comes quality legal innovation.  Our mission is to promote and nurture a respectful, highly engaged, family friendly, and inclusive culture that values the diversity of our talented team with diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, skills/talents, and capabilities.

The Annual Women’s Workshop is part of our ongoing diversity initiative aimed to increase the number of women practicing in the IP legal field and climbing the ladder to success.  Harrity’s previous workshops are highly rated and recommended by past participants.

The virtual workshop will take place from May 18-21st and is completely free. Whether you are a science or engineering major, current student at a law school, or practicing attorney interested in intellectual property, the Harrity Women’s Workshop is a can’t-miss opportunity.  The application deadline to participate is April 30th, so don’t delay- Apply Now!

Harrity Demos Patent Automation Software at IP Summit

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SALT LAKE CITY (February 2020) Shawn Lillemo, Harrity’s Software Product Manager and IP attorney, was featured as a panelist and presenter at the 2020 Utah IP Summit last Friday. Shawn led the discussion on the use of automation to improve speed and quality in patent application drafting. The presentation included a demo of one of the Harrity Tools, an in-house automation software developed by Shawn and his team and currently used by Harrity attorneys to reduce errors and time spent on applications.

“The right automation tools can provide application drafters with extra time that can be spent fleshing out additional details of the invention, exploring alternative embodiments, and telling a good story about how the invention solves a technical problem,” stated Shawn on the significance of automation in the patent & legal fields.

In the short time since its launch, the use of Harrity Tools has substantially improved the efficiency of Harrity’s drafting attorneys and has led to a notable increase in the amount of applications drafted and obtained by the firm. To learn more about application drafting automation and other Harrity Tools, visit https://harrityllp.com/services/patent-automation/.

 

Harrity 4 Charity

Care Bags for INOVA Fairfax Hospital

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On November 15, 2018, the Harrity team put together 250 care bags for INOVA Fairfax Hospital. These bags will go to those individuals that find themselves unexpectedly in the hospital supporting a loved one in the Cardiac Care Unit.

We do this each year in support of our partner, John Harrity, who survived a widow maker heart attack two years ago.

To learn more visit the Harrity 4 Charity website.

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  • Harrity-Race-2018-Finish-Line-Strollers
  • Harrity-Race-2018-Prizes
  • Harrity-Race-2018-Group-Photo
  • Hokies-Heart-Harrity-Race-2018
  • Harrity Race 2018

Harrity Race Against Heart Disease – 2018

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The Harrity Race Against Heart Disease on October 14th was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who came out and supported us and helped us raise money for the American Heart Association! 

We would also like to thank our sponsors who helped make this race possible. Thank you to Construction Group Systems, Inc, Glory Days Grill, iLoveKickboxing.com, Patentprufer, Spector Law Group, Pure Barre- Leesburg, Patricia Barta and IKNEADIT, LLC! 

Visit the Harrity Race page on our website for more information, and stay tuned for announcements regarding next year’s race.

Harrity Hosts First Women’s Workshop

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The Harrity Women’s Workshop 2018 took place from May 21-23.  We invited ten women from law schools across the country to join us to learn about the patent field from leading women in the field.  Elaine Spector, Counsel at Harrity & Harrity, and Sandra Maxey, the Firm’s Controller, both wanted to put together a program that would provide women with the skills necessary to succeed both personally and professionally in a high-stress career.

Harrity attorneys presented on topics ranging from the patent process to patent drafting and prosecution, rivaling what can be taught in a traditional classroom setting.  The workshop also featured many speakers, including Teresa Rea, a partner and vice-chair of Intellectual Property and a director with C&M International, a subsidy of Crowell Moring. She spoke about her career and how to create a life-work balance, and inspired the women in attendance to set high goals for themselves. Mercedes Meyer, a partner in the Intellectual Property group at Drinker Biddle & Reath explained the importance of creating a business plan and how to set yourself apart from your male counterparts. Barbara Fisher, Assistant General Counsel, Intellectual Property, at Lockheed Martin, gave an empowering speech on setting goals and achieving them.  Courtney Holohan, Accenture’s Chief Intellectual Property Counsel, told our workshop participants the ten things she wished she had known when she entered the field.  Cynthia Raposo, Senior Vice President of Legal for Under Armour, Inc., discussed issues related to women, including the advancement of women in the field and reasons why women do not tend to promote themselves.  Finally, Ami Gadhia of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) led a panel along with Catherine Wendelken, Nekeshia Maloney, and Felicia Metz.  They answered questions about their field, technology transfer, and how they manage a life-work balance.

This is the first Women’s Workshop held by the Harrity Women’s Committee, a sub-committee of the Diversity Committee.  In 2017, the firm held a Diversity Workshop geared towards introducing law school students to the practice of patent law.  Harrity & Harrity is committed to promoting diversity in the legal field, and does so through workshops such as those mentioned above, fellowships, and scholarships for new attorneys.

Seven women whom participated in the Harrity Women's Workshop
Harrity Women’s Workshop Participants
Career 4

Harrity Participates in Annual “2016 Lawyers Have Heart” 10K Race

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Harrity Participates in Annual Lawyers Have Heart 10k Race
The Harrity Team participates in an event to raise money for Lawyers Have Heart

Since 2001, Harrity & Harrity, LLP has participated in the 2016 Lawyers Have Heart 10K race to raise money for the American Heart Association.

To learn more about the American Heart Association click HERE.

To donate to the American Heart Association click HERE.